Identity verification using biometrics in analog format

Abstract

A system for identity-based authorization of a user to access an account is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system employs a token comprising a token body. A medium carrying at least one characteristic descriptive of the account is carried by the token body. A transmissive member carrying a biometric in analog format occupies a cutaway region of the token body. The system further employs a token receiver adapted to receive the token. A light source is disposed on a first side of the receiver. An image capturing apparatus is positioned to receive light emitted by the light source. A first processor is in communication with the image capturing apparatus. A biometric sampler is in communication with the first processor. In operation, the system comprises creating at least one first indicator describing at least one portion of the analog biometric associated with the token. At least one second indicator describing at least one portion of a bid biometric of the user is further created. At least one third indicator describing at least one portion of a registration biometric of the user is further created. The first and second indicators are compared. By comparing the first and second indicators, either a successful or failed first identification of the user is yielded. Upon successful first identification of the user, the first and third indicators are compared. By comparing the first and third indicators, either a successful or failed second identification of the user is yielded. Upon successful second identification of the user, access by the user to the account is authorized.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a token-based account access arrangement employing a reader adapted to read from a token information pertaining to the account, the token having disposed thereupon a projectable biometric, a system for identity-based authorization of a user to use the token for access to the account, the system comprising: 
 a token receiver;    a light source disposed on a first side of said receiver;    an image capturing apparatus positioned to receive light emitted by said light source;    a first processor in communication with said image capturing apparatus; and    a biometric sampler in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said image capturing apparatus is disposed on a second side of said receiver opposite said first side.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said receiver comprises a transmissive region, a portion of said transmissive region coinciding with the projectable biometric upon receipt of the token by said receiver.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a switch activatible in response to receipt by said token receiver of the token, said switch adapted to enable said light source when activated.    
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is adapted to project an image of the biometric upon said image capturing apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first processor is adapted to compare at least one depiction of the biometric disposed upon the token with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampler.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second processor remote from said token receiver, said second processor in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a database in communication with said second processor, said database adapted to store a registration biometric, said second processor adapted to compare at least one depiction of said registration biometric with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampler.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a lens disposed between said token receiver and said image capturing apparatus.    
     
     
         10 . A system for identity-based authorization of a user to access an account, the system comprising: 
 a token having disposed thereupon a projectable biometric;    a token receiver adapted to receive said token;    a light source disposed on a first side of said receiver;    an image capturing apparatus positioned to receive light emitted by said light source;    a first processor in communication with said image capturing apparatus; and    a biometric sampler in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said image capturing apparatus is disposed on a second side of said receiver opposite said first side.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said receiver comprises a transmissive region, a portion of said transmissive region coinciding with said projectable biometric upon receipt of said token by said receiver.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a switch activatible in response to receipt by said token receiver of said token, said switch adapted to enable said light source when activated.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said light source is adapted to project an image of said biometric upon said image capturing apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said first processor is adapted to compare at least one depiction of said biometric disposed upon said token with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampler.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a second processor remote from said token receiver, said second processor in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a database in communication with said second processor, said database adapted to store a registration biometric, said second processor adapted to compare at least one depiction of said registration biometric with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampler.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a lens disposed between said token receiver and said image capturing apparatus.    
     
     
         19 . A system enabling token-based access by a user of a token to an account, the system comprising: 
 a token receiver;    a light source disposed on a first side of said receiver;    an image capturing apparatus positioned to receive light emitted by said light source;    a first processor in communication with said image capturing apparatus;    a biometric sampler in communication with said first processor; and    a token reader.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said image capturing apparatus is disposed on a second side of said receiver opposite said first side.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said token reader is adapted to read from a token information pertaining to the account.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said receiver comprises a transmissive region, the token has disposed thereupon a projectable biometric, a portion of said transmissive region coinciding with said projectable biometric upon receipt of the token by said receiver.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a switch activatible in response to receipt by said token receiver of the token, said switch adapted to enable said light source when activated.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said light source is adapted to project an image of a projectable biometric upon said image capturing apparatus.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said first processor is adapted to compare at least one depiction of a biometric disposed upon the token with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampler.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a second processor remote from said token receiver, said second processor in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising a database in communication with said second processor, said database adapted to store a registration biometric, said second processor adapted to compare at least one depiction of said registration biometric with at least one depiction of a biometric disposed upon the token.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a lens disposed between said token receiver and said image capturing apparatus.    
     
     
         29 . A method for token-based access by a user of the token to at least one account, the method comprising: 
 creating at least one first indicator (digital string) describing at least one portion of an analog biometric associated with (formed on) the token;    creating at least one second indicator (digital string) describing at least one portion of a bid biometric of the user;    comparing said first and second indicators, said comparing of said first and second indicators yielding either a successful or failed first identification of the user; and    upon successful first identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said authorizing further comprises: 
 creating at least one third indicator (digital string) describing at least one portion of a registration biometric of the user;    comparing said first and third indicators, said comparing of said first and third indicators yielding either a successful or failed second identification of the user; and    upon successful second identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one third indicator is readable from the token.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one third indicator is readable from memory at a location remote from the site where said creating at least one first indicator step is performed.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said authorizing further comprises: 
 creating at least one third indicator (digital string) describing at least one portion of a registration biometric of the user;    comparing said first and third indicators, said comparing of said first and third indicators yielding either a successful or failed second identification of the user; and    upon successful second identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said at least one third indicator is readable from the token.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said at least one third indicator is readable from memory at a location remote from the site where said creating at least one first indicator step is performed.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said creating at least one first indicator further comprises digitizing at least a first portion of said analog biometric, said digitizing producing a first digital string describing said first portion, said at least one first indicator describing a second portion of said analog biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion, said second portion being smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said creating at least one second indicator further comprises scanning at least one finger of the user, said scanning producing said bid biometric.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said creating at least one second indicator further comprises digitizing at least a first portion of said bid biometric, said digitizing producing a first digital string describing said first portion, said at least one second indicator describing a second portion of said bid biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion, said second portion being smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said creating at least one third indicator further comprises digitizing at least a first portion of said registration biometric, said digitizing producing a first digital string describing said first portion, said at least one third indicator describing a second portion of said registration biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion, said second portion being smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said analog biometric comprises an image of at least one fingerprint of the user.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said image is disposed on microfilm.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said successful first identification of the user is yielded if a predetermined percentage of said at least one second indicator matches said at least one first indicator.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said successful second identification of the user is yielded if a predetermined percentage of said at least one first indicator matches said at least one third indicator.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 upon failed first identification of the user, creating at least one subsequent second indicator describing at least one portion of a bid biometric of the user;    comparing said first and subsequent second indicators, said comparing of said first and subsequent second indicators yielding either a subsequent successful or subsequent failed first identification of the user; and    upon subsequent successful first identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 upon failed second identification of the user, creating at least one subsequent first indicator;    comparing said third and subsequent first indicators, said comparing of said third and subsequent first indicators yielding either a subsequent successful or subsequent failed second identification of the user; and    upon subsequent successful second identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising storing said at least one first indicator in first (temporary) memory.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful first identification of the user, clearing said at least one first indicator from said first memory.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising storing said at least one bid biometric portion in first memory.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful first identification of the user, clearing said at least one bid biometric portion from said first memory.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising: 
 upon said failed first identification of the user, storing said at least one bid biometric portion in a second (permanent) memory.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising storing said at least one first indicator in first memory.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful second identification of the user, clearing said at least one first indicator from said first memory.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising storing said at least one bid biometric portion in first memory.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful second identification of the user, clearing said at least one bid biometric portion from said first memory.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 upon said failed second identification of the user, storing said at least one bid biometric portion in a second memory.    
     
     
         56 . A system for identity-based authorization of a user to access an account, the system comprising: 
 means for carrying a projectable biometric;    means for receiving said biometric carrying means;    means for projecting an image of said projectable biometric, said means for projecting disposed on a first side of said receiving means;    means for capturing said projected image, said means for capturing positioned to receive light emitted by said projecting means;    a first processor in communication with said capturing means; and    means for sampling a biometric of the user, said sampling means in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said capturing means is disposed on a second side of said receiving means opposite said first side.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said receiving means comprises a transmissive region, a portion of said transmissive region coinciding with said projectable biometric upon receipt of said carrying means by said receiving means.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 56 , further comprising: 
 switch means for enabling said projection means when activated, said switch means activatible in response to receipt by said receiving means of said carrying means.    
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said projection means is adapted to project an image of said biometric upon said capturing means.  
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said first processor is adapted to compare at least one depiction of said biometric carried by said carrying means with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampling means.  
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 56 , further comprising: 
 a second processor remote from said receiving means, said second processor in communication with said first processor.    
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , further comprising means for storing a registration biometric, said storage means in communication with said second processor, said second processor adapted to compare at least one depiction of said registration biometric with at least one depiction of a biometric sample of the user captured by said sampling means.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 56 , further comprising means for image forming disposed between said receiving means and said capturing means.  
     
     
         65 . A method for token-based access by a user of the token to at least one account, the method comprising: 
 creating at least one first indicator for describing at least one portion of an analog biometric associated with the token;    creating at least one second indicator for describing at least one portion of a bid biometric of the user;    comparing said first and second indicators for yielding either a successful or failed first identification of the user; and    upon successful first identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein said authorizing further comprises: 
 creating at least one third indicator for describing at least one portion of a registration biometric of the user;    comparing said first and third indicators for yielding either a successful or failed second identification of the user; and    upon successful second identification of the user, authorizing access by the user to the at least one account.    
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said at least one third indicator is readable from the token.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said at least one third indicator is readable from memory at a location remote from the site where said creating at least one first indicator step is performed.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein said creating at least one first indicator further comprises digitizing at least a first portion of said analog biometric, said digitizing producing a first digital string describing said first portion, said at least one first indicator describing a second portion of said analog biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion, said second portion being smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein said creating at least one second indicator further comprises digitizing at least a first portion of said bid biometric, said digitizing producing a first digital string describing said first portion, said at least one second indicator describing a second portion of said bid biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion, said second portion being smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said creating at least one third indicator further comprises digitizing at least a first portion of said registration biometric, said digitizing producing a first digital string describing said first portion, said at least one third indicator describing a second portion of said registration biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion, said second portion being smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising storing said at least one first indicator in first memory.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful first identification of the user, clearing said at least one first indicator from said first memory.    
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising storing said at least one bid biometric portion in first memory.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful first identification of the user, clearing said at least one bid biometric portion from said first memory.    
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising: 
 upon said failed first identification of the user, storing said at least one bid biometric portion in a second memory.    
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising storing said at least one first indicator in first memory.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful second identification of the user, clearing said at least one first indicator from said first memory.    
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising storing said at least one bid biometric portion in first memory.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising: 
 upon said successful second identification of the user, clearing said at least one bid biometric portion from said first memory.    
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising: 
 upon said failed second identification of the user, storing said at least one bid biometric portion in a second memory.    
     
     
         82 . A computer system for storing information comprising: 
 a processor; and    a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store a plurality of code modules for execution by the processor, the plurality of code modules comprising: 
 a code module for creating at least one first indicator (digital string) describing a first portion of at least one biometric;  
 a code module for creating at least one second indicator (digital string) describing a second portion of said at least one biometric, said first portion comprising said second portion.  
   
     
     
         83 . The system of claim  82 , wherein said second portion is smaller than said first portion.  
     
     
         84 . The system of claim  82 , wherein said plurality of code modules further comprise: 
 a code module for comparing respective second indicators associated with two different ones of said at least one biometric;    a code module for yielding either a successful or failed first identification of a token user based on said comparing of said respective second indicators; and    a code module for authorizing access by the user to at least one account upon successful first identification of the user.